Fluency

What does being fluent mean? 

Fact fluency refers to the ability to quickly and accurately recall basic math facts, such as:

• Addition facts (e.g., 7 + 5 = 12), Subtraction facts (e.g., 9 - 4 = 5), Multiplication facts (e.g., 6 × 7 = 42), Division facts (e.g., 36 ÷ 6 = 6)
  
  

Key Points:

• It's not just about memorization, but also about understanding and using these facts easily in more complex math problems.
  
  

• Fluency means being both fast and correct.
  
  

• It’s a foundational skill that supports higher-level math like fractions, algebra, and problem-solving.

How can I explain what being fluent means to my students/child?

1) I can use different strategies.

2) I can pick the best strategies for numbers I am working with.

3) My answer is correct. 

Required Fluencies by Grade (K–5)

Kindergarten

Add and subtract within 5 (K.OA.A.5)

Students should be able to add and subtract small numbers (0–5) with accuracy and reasonable speed.

Grade 1

Add and subtract within 10 (1.OA.C.6)

They should know basic sums and differences up to 10 fluently. 

Grade 2

1. Add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies; know single digit sums from memory (2.OA.B.2)

2. Add and subtract within 100 (2.NBT.B.5)

They should be able to recall basic addition/subtraction facts, and perform addition/subtraction up to 100 fluently (without relying heavily on counting).

Grade 3

1. Multiply and divide within 100; know single‑digit products from memory (3.OA.C.7)

2. Add and subtract within 1,000 (3.NBT.A.2)

Fluency in multiplication and division of single-digit numbers and fluency in three‑digit addition/subtraction.

Grade 4

Add and subtract within 1,000,000 (4.NBT.B.4)

Students should fluently add/subtract large whole numbers (through the millions) with accuracy.

Grade 5

Multiply multi‑digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm (5.NBT.B.5)

Fluency with multiplication of larger numbers is expected.